On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful

Anonymous "I don't know what you've heard about Greece and Athens specifically, but don't expect something extraordinary...it's nothing special!"
This is what Eυγενία (pronounced, "Evienia") said to me when I first contacted her about my trip. Subsequently, whenever I marveled at some European idiosyncrasy, she would reply, "yeah, it's fine," as if to say, "meh, I'm sure it's better elsewhere."

Today, we hopped on the tram in Syntagma square with no clear idea of where we were going. West, obviously, to the sea, but the amount of stops on the tram's route was far more perplexing than I had anticipated. Eυγενία , being the directionally-challenged dear that she is, was unable to provide any guaranteed advice, and so pointed to one of the stops seemingly at random, suggesting we disembark there.
We were at the sea, but there was not much else of which to speak. Regardless, we wandered down to the beach and strolled along the rocks, serenaded by the gentle sound of the calm Mediterranean.

"I want you to know that I have changed my opinion about Athens. Really."
This was a surprise.
"I read the blog for your class, and your friends kept saying, 'Athens is so beautiful,' 'Athens is so wonderful,' and I thought, 'I live here, it's not that great!' It's not the most beautiful city in the world, but I thought, if everyone likes it so much, maybe there is something to like."

<3

"I promise, I will explore Athens. I will go to the Acropolis museum, and I will know my way around. Next time you are in Athens, I will be better."

I chose to share this with you for two reasons. First, to demonstrate that our presence here as tourists has, in some small way, positively affected Athens, and second, to remind you to always be appreciative of all that you have in this life.

Oh, and Smile. :)